Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a preliminary inquiry into suspected irregularities in the tendering process within West Bengal's Zoo Directorate. The Zoo Directorate falls under the purview of the West Bengal Forest Department, currently led by Jyotipriya Mallick. Mallick, presently in ED custody for his alleged involvement in a multi-crore ration distribution scam, held the position of the state's Food and Supplies Minister in the past.

Central agency officials are reportedly investigating the Departed Project Reports (DPRs) of the Directorate, for which tenders were previously issued. There are allegations that external agencies, involved in preparing the DPRs, participated in the tender process using different identities, violating prescribed norms. These irregularities are said to involve influencing key figures in the Directorate and the state forest department for personal gain.

The ED is particularly focusing on an animal rescue center in the Sundarbans area of the South 24 Parganas district. Additionally, the agency is taking note of complaints lodged by environmental activists, asserting that the state forest department allowed unauthorized resorts on forest lands and remained silent on the matter in recent years. Complaints also include allegations of illegal tree felling and unauthorized permissions for housing projects within buffer zones adjacent to forests.

Jyotipriya Mallick served as the state's Food and Supplies Minister from 2011 to 2021, and after the 2021 state assembly elections, he assumed the role of the state's Forest Minister.

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